President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday stressed upon the effective role of mosques and pulpits in imparting education to children, besides preaching on social issues through Islamic teachings. The president chaired a meeting on the role of the mosques and the pulpits in social development, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release. The meeting was attended by Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed and provincial ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Relevant provincial secretaries, including from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and chief secretary of Gilgit Baltistan were also present. The president observed that mosques and pulpits were the source of imparting education and local connectivity and played an important role in the social training and formulation of Islamic society. Providing education to 27 million out of school children was a huge challenge and for this purpose thousands of schools were required, he said, adding that about 250,000 mosques across the country could be used for increasing literacy rate. The president suggested that during the Fajar and Zuhar timings, children could be taught religious education, latest skills and education in mosques. He also called upon ulema, khateeb and religious seminaries to play their role for the social reforms, eradication of social evils like back-biting, intolerance and fake news. Increasing population, women’s rights, interfaith harmony and promotion of tolerance were the significant social issues, he added. Commending the role of ulema, mosques and pulpits during Coronavirus pandemic, he said they created public awareness. The president opined that ulema could also create awareness in the society about different issues like diseases, malnutrition and mental and physical weakness. The social linkages would be further strengthened with intensifying of religious, educational and social activities, he observed. During the meeting, the participants also presented different proposals regarding role of ulema on various important national and social subjects. President for stronger economic, defence ties with Qatar: President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday called for further strengthening ties with Qatar in the fields of economy and defence for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. The president expressed these views while talking to the visiting Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, Lt Gen (Pilot) Salem Hamad Eqail Al-Nabet, who along with the members of his delegation called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, and senior officials of the government also attended the meeting. The president said that Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed excellent relations, which needed to be translated into mutually rewarding business and economic ties. Welcoming the delegation, President Alvi said that year 2023 would mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Qatar and expressed the hope that cooperation between the two countries would be further enhanced in the years to come. He expressed his gratitude to Qatar for providing humanitarian assistance during last year’s floods as well as financial support to Pakistan during difficult times. The president congratulated Qatar for successfully holding the FIFA 2022 Football World Cup. He also congratulated the Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces on the conferment of the award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon him in recognition of his role in promoting cooperation between the Armed Forces of the two brotherly countries. Earlier, President Alvi conferred the award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon Lt Gen (Pilot) Salem Hamad Eqail Al-Nabet at a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.